BEREA, Ohio – Tashaun Gipson played in the NFL last season as an undrafted free agent -- a three-word description the Browns safety believes is attached to him like a nameplate on a jersey.

"I know a lot of people are still looking at me as an undrafted free agent," he said. "No matter the circumstances, that's going to be said this year and next year. It's just a little extra motivation."

The 22-year-old hopes to prove to his new coaching staff he's worthy of another title -- starter. While Gipson is aware the franchise could select a safety in the upcoming draft, he's eager to challenge for the job.

"It's not my place to determine who to bring in and whether we need a new free safety," Gipson said after practice Wednesday. "I feel like I am the free safety. That's the attitude you have to have in this business. You've gotta have confidence. Confidence is key. If they bring someone else in here he's gonna have to compete for the free safety spot."

A year ago, Gipson was dealing with the disappointment of going undrafted after four productive seasons at Wyoming. He not only made the Browns out of training camp but started three games mainly through attrition. The new regime thought enough of the converted cornerback to keep him on the roster while cutting veteran Usama Young and his $2.1 million contract.

Gipson made 29 tackles in 10 games and intercepted a pass against Kansas City. He also played well in the season finale against Pittsburgh and quarterback Ben Rothlisberger, contributing six tackles while not getting beat deep.

"I grade myself hard but when plays came my way I made them," said Gipson, set to earn $480,000. "I didn't give up any big plays [against the Steelers]. I was just putting my resume on tape just in case the coaching staff wasn't back."

Former defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said he spent part of last season looking for deficiencies in Gipson's game that would have explained the draft-day snub. Jauron claims he never found them. The previous staff touted his toughness, quickness and the "suddenness" with which the 5-11, 205 pounder closed on ball-carriers.

Under new management, the Browns must decide where adding a safety ranks on their draft to-do list. The need for a cornerback, pass rusher, tight end, guard and, perhaps, quarterback certainly will be discussed. But after T.J. Ward, the Browns are lean at safety. Gipson and Eric Hagg have a combined 32 games of NFL experience.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper recently said he expects many of the top safeties
to be gone by the second round, one in which the Browns have no pick.

Can Gipson start on a team that plans to play an aggressive, high-risk defense?

"Without question," he said. " It would not be something new to me. I'm blessed to be in this situation first and foremost. But if that opportunity presents itself I'm definitely going to seize it and take advantage of it. I do believe I'm capable of becoming a starter. I feel like I do belong out there with those guys.

"That's in the coaches' hands and I'll go with whatever they say and fulfill any role they ask of me. But to answer the question I do feel like I'm a starter in this league."

Federal authorities are investigating Jade Management, which according to the report, had ties to Success Trade -- a company that federal regulators allege sold $18 million in fraudulent and unregistered promissory notes to 58 persons, many of whom were NFL and NBA players.

Several athletes have either been contacted or been urged to speak to investigators from the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the report. Among the athletes purchasing the promissory notes, according to Yahoo, were: Haden, San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis and former Chicago Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye.

Multi-tasking: Ahtyba Rubin said the defensive linemen will be multi-tasking in coordinator Ray Horton's scheme. The veteran said the linemen are expected to know all three positions in the 3-4 front, and that they will be employing a 4-3 front at times.

"The whole d-line, we're all flipping," Rubin said. "Some guys are in nose. Some guys are in threes. Some guys are just rotating. So everybody is just trying to fit in where they can."

Rubin previously has played in a 3-4 scheme, but only as a nose guard. He welcomes the chance to play defensive end. Rubin said he weighs 306 pounds – down about 10 pounds from a season ago.

"I've been trying to be on my leanest, eat right, so I can last longer through the season. I don't want to have another calf strain. I just want to be healthy and perform at my top ability."

Salute to the troops: Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said he gained a greater appreciation for the work of American troops last month while visiting the Middle East as part of an the NFL-USO Tour.

Jackson said he enjoyed meeting military members.

"Just to be around those guys, just to hear their personal stories ... it was definitely amazing," he said.

Legendary assist: Retired Browns tackle Dick Schafrath will announce the team's third-round pick at draft in New York. If the club acquires a second-round choice, Schafrath will announce it as well. The league has alumni from all 32 teams performing the same task.

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